Our Current Services and Activities

Updated on 17th August 2021

As national restrictions have eased, our Centre is slowly reopening with extreme caution to ensure our members, staff and volunteers are kept as safe as possible. Some of our services will remain online. However, limited hands-on complementary therapies have restarted, with reduced access to ensure rooms are well ventilated between members and with no more than six people in the building at one time. These precautions are being taken as we are aware that some people, particularly those with blood cancers, are not able to produce adequate antibodies against coronavirus. We will continue to ask everyone attending the Centre to wear a mask and, while they are available, to do a lateral flow test prior to arrival.

TELEPHONE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT

We will continue to provide a telephone Information and Support service until our Centre can be safely reopened for all who need us. This service is in place to help existing members and also people who have recently received a cancer diagnosis or are seeking information or support from us for the first time.

Please call 020 8441 7000 and leave a message on the answerphone if a staff member does not pick up your call. Someone will call you back as soon as possible, although this might not always be on the same day.

SPECIFIC CANCER SUPPORT GROUPS (via Zoom)

Cherry Lodge’s support groups for people affected by site-specific cancers are continuing to meet via Zoom. You do not need to be a member of Cherry Lodge to attend these groups. Please contact Fiona on 020 8441 7000 or email fiona@cherrylodgecancercare.org.uk if you have not attended previously. Fiona will send out notifications and Zoom links a couple of days ahead of the listed scheduled dates.

The Lymphoma Group

Wednesdays at 6.15pm. Next Zoom meetings: 4th August 2021; 15th September 2021

Ovarian Support Group

Tuesdays at 6.15pm. Next Zoom meetings: 24th August 2021; 5th October 2021

Men’s Group

For gentlemen diagnosed with prostate, bladder and testicular cancers. If you have a different cancer but feel you would like the support of this group please contact Fiona on 020 8441 7000 or email fiona@cherrylodgecancercare.org.uk.

Tuesdays at 6.15pm. Next Zoom meetings: 3rd August 2021; 14th September 2021; 26th October 2021

CARERS’ SUPPORT GROUP (via Zoom)

This group is for people who are helping a family member, partner or friend through their cancer journey.

2nd Monday of every month, 10.30am-12 noon, via Zoom.

For more information, please contact Kirsty on 020 8441 7000 or email kirsty@cherrylodgecancercare.org.uk.

GROUP ACTIVITIES (via Zoom)

If you are missing Cherry Lodge’s usual range of group activities, you might enjoy one or more of the following activities. Zoom sessions are not quite like the real thing – but they can be a very good substitute.

Chair Yoga

Fridays, from 11am until 12 noon. Chair Yoga sessions via Zoom are available weekly under the leadership of Yoga teacher Kathryn. For details and the Zoom link, please email Lorraine or phone 020 8441 7000.

Pilates on a Chair

Wednesdays, from 12 noon to 1pm. Classes via Zoom are led by Cherry Lodge therapist Gaynor Morrell. For details and the Zoom link, please email Lorraine or phone 020 8441 7000.

ONLINE SERVICES and ACTIVITIES from other ORGANISATIONS

Cherry Lodge members have been invited to take advantage of services and activities currently being offered, free of charge, by:

Bupa counselling and emotional well-being support

Macmillan Cancer Care and Bupa are working in partnership to support people who are struggling with the emotional impacts of cancer. They are offering six free one-to-one counselling sessions, via phone or video call, to anyone with cancer. If you are interested, please call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 and ask about the Bupa service. Click here for more information.

Move4U

Move4U is an individually tailored, 12-session, guided physical activity programme for adults who have had a cancer diagnosis in the last five years. It is run under the auspices of the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, the NHS North Central London Cancer Alliance and the NHS North Central London Clinical Commissioning Group. Click here for information.

Online Cookery Classes with World Cancer Research Fund and Life Kitchen

World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) with Life Kitchen are offering free, online cookery classes for people who have been affected by cancer. Click here for information. Simply email informed@wcrf.org to register.

Paul’s Cancer Support Centre

Paul’s Cancer Support Centre, based in Battersea, is offering ‘anyone with cancer’ a range of support groups, classes and workshops via Zoom. Click here for information.